Why joining a gym is like buying a car.....

The saga continues....


So tonight was my "fitness evaluation" at the gym that I have newly joined.  I was excited to get started and very happy with the "deal" I had gotten, for a monthly membership of $29.00, with no contract.  Well...........tonight I finally met the real salesperson.  My "fitness evaluation" wasn't really that at all.  What it really was, was a sales pitch to buy into their personal training program.  Now- don't get me wrong- I would loooove to have a personal trainer and am very happy for those who can afford it- all the power to you....I'm jealous :)  I think it's great to have the guidance, but I cannot afford to spend between $100-$200 a month.  I just can't at this point.  My problem with the whole thing was that I really felt like she threw tons and tons of information at me.  Excessive information, in fact, with about 10 pages worth of diagrams.  In my opinion, it was meant to make me feel like unless I paid for a personal trainer, I would be lost in the gym, and do all of the wrong things.  Now I feel completely and totally discouraged.  It was like being at the car dealership and falling in love with the basic model until they bring out the fully loaded option and then all you can see is the bells and whistles, and you desperately don't want to go back
(and BTW- the price of a personal trainer is actually quite similar to a car payment).  I was sooo pumped, and now I feel completely deflated. 

Does anyone have a good book they can recommend about how to strength train.  I think that would be a more affordable option for me now. 

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience. Just chalk it up to that she is trying to make a living. It is annoying but it is all part and parcel of joining a gym.



I have Weight Training for Dummies, I think it is a good book, easy to read and straight forward.



Did you get a free training session when you signed up? If not potentially (if you can afford this) see if you can have 1 session every 6 weeks or so just to have someone demo some of the machines though likely you'll find some gym rats who won't mind helping you out. When you are in the change room getting ready to go in try and strike up a conversation with some friendly looking woman and be honest and upfront, say you can't afford the training sessions and would she mind showing you how this or that machine works. The treadmills and elliptical machines are pretty straightforward but some of the weight machines can be confusing though most of them have diagrams on the side on how to use. If you ask someone how to use 1 machine they won't feel that you are really imposing on them.

Or ask some cute muscle bound dude to assist you :P

Hey Marny, I know exactly what you mean! Did you join Extreme Fitness or is this how all gyms are :)  Unless you have a lot of excess cash then a trainer isn't always the most realistic thing. At one point I did have a trainer and I saw them once every 4- 5 weeks just for a refresher and to have them put together a new program for me because I didn't always know what was best. Also, I liked what was said about asking someone else at the gym for help. i went for a few days in a row and just did some cardio...I was looking around the gym at the different people doing weights and I tried to remember their faces. After a few days of seeing them I approached two people who were there every time and looked like they knew what they were doing. I was honest with them and said I'm honestly not to sure what I'm doing, would you mind helping me for a few minutes and both of them were more then willing too!

Another thing is the regulars are great for introducing you to new people....The gym is a great place for networking and there is almost always someone willing to help you out!

Good Luck!!!

Jenn

Watch how people are using the machines ...start at a low weight and work your way up! I learned most of my exercise routines by watching other people (not stalk watching) also watching personal trainers working with clients. One personal trainer saw me doing the his same routine a week later :)

I never got asked about a personal trainer when I joined before...In the brampton location there is a personal trainer on the floor when you're doing circuit training (where you use several machines)...she/he will set you up and show you how to use each of those machines...it's a great starting point!

Bodybuilding.com has amazing exercise videos...and they have a women's /beginner section...better than any workout book I've ever read

Youtube has amazing videos as well

Motivation-wise I found Body-4-Life transformation guide very inspirational

Don't get mad, get researching!

Thanks Cylent.  I felt pretty rotten last night, but then I wrote down everything I could remember from my appointment, and  I got on the web and found a bunch of good articles, so I feel much better.  I am going to check out the websites you suggested.

I was going to mention one of the same resources; my son and I check out Youtube all the time. Just looking at bodybuilding.com - an awesome site!
Thanks

Also there are loads of weight lifting type magazines that have articles about routines etc so that might help as well. Glad you are feeling better about the whole thing. You'll be fine.

I applied to one gym (huge franchise place - no names needed!) and I was going to be basically on commission doing what you experienced and I thought - no way, no how. That's NOT why I started this certification. (and I got the same push for $5-7K worth of personal training so I could make best use of my new membership, etc)

I'm sorry you got that run around IMHO. If you're at GL, they do have a program for free with your membership where they'll show you how to use the "nautilus" type machines for a 20-25 min workout. That's a good place to start and I believe that was included with "just" a membership.

The other thing you can consider - they have HUGE programs but you can also hire a trainer for 1-2 sessions at an hourly rate and most gyms *should* offer that.